GADSDEN, Alabama --- Randy Cornelius had just finished the 50 yard dash and was waiting to get his first place ribbon, when he saw one of the men he had just beaten.

"I'm sorry I blowed you away, man," he said, shaking his hand, grinning.

Cornelius was in a good mood, as many of his fellow competitors were this morning, at the Etowah County Special Olympics. About 350 students from Etowah County's three school systems, along with residents of area group homes, took part at Gadsden City High School.

Cornelius, who lives in a Gadsden group home, said he was concerned when he got so far ahead of his opponents.

"When I saw him sort of going on the wrong side of the track, I was going to quit," he said. "But I wanted to win, and God let me win."

Organizers had planned to hold this year's Special Olympics last Friday, but weather forced them to postpone. Standing in the warm sunshine though seemed to bear out the decision, said Rhonda Perry, special education director for Gadsden City Schools.

"We've got more here this year than we've ever had," she said. "We want every athlete eligible to participate, to come out and enjoy these games."

Elementary school students competed at Titan Stadium, while the adult students used the track field. Perry said the size of the campus helped in staging the Olympics, giving enough space for multiple events to take place. About 600 volunteers helped in putting on the competition. Athletes competed in heats, to keep participants at similar ages and with similar abilities together.

"We know them," Perry said. "We know who our runners are going to be, and who their biggest competition is."

Gadsden Special Olympics: April 26, 2013GADSDEN, Alabama --- Students from Etowah County's three school systems, along with residents of the county's group homes, took part in the 2013 Special Olympics at Gadsden City High School Friday.